Unit 4 Lesson 13: Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding In this lesson we will explore the key concepts of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. While these concepts are often confused, in conflict studies they have distinct meanings and it is essential that you are able to distinguish between them for the IB Exam.

Conflict Dynamics: Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Peacebuilding:

Learning Objectives To distinguish between peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding To understand the key features of the model of conflict dynamics To link the three possible responses to the different stages of the MCD through the use of appropriate case studies

Peacekeeping Peacekeeping means keeping people from attacking each other by putting some kind of barrier between them. Often this barrier is made up of neutral soldiers--peacekeepers-- from the UN or a group of neutral nations. The soldiers do nothing to settle the disputant's differences or help negotiate a peace agreement--they simply keep the two sides apart.

Peacemaking Peacemaking is the process of forging a settlement between the disputing parties. While this can be done in direct negotiations with just the two disputants, it is often also done with a third-party mediator, who assists with process and communication problems, and helps the parties work effectively together to draft a workable peace accord. Usually the negotiators are official diplomats, although citizens are getting involved in the peacemaking process more and more. While they do not negotiate final accords, citizen diplomacy is becoming an increasingly common way to start the peacemaking process, which is then finalized with official diplomatic efforts.

Peacebuilding However, peacemaking is not the final step in the peace process. As both the situations in the Middle East and Bosnia so well demonstrate, it takes more than a peace accord to bring peace to a region. The peace accord is just a beginning, which must be followed by long-term peacebuilding--the process of normalizing relations and reconciling differences between all the citizens of the warring factions..

Conflict escalation and de-escalation model - Ramsbotham & Woodhouse (1999)

Conflict dynamics Ramsbotham & Woodhouse argue that, while every conflict has different dynamics, there are similarities between conflicts. Model of conflict dynamics helps policy makers identify best responses for each stage of escalation and de-escalation.

Task In a group of 4, discuss the following statement: Peacebuilding is arguably more important than peacemaking. Teacher will assign one of the following positions for each group: 1. Discuss arguments that support this claim. 2. Discuss arguments against this claim. Post your arguments on a large sheet of poster paper and present to the class.